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Audio: John Stevens joins Kings Men Podcast

INSIDERS. Many of you have already heard this, but if you haven’t, here’s almost 30 minutes of John Stevens talking about his coaching and leadership philosophies, and how they relate to the 2017-18 Los Angeles Kings. It’s a good listen and the only lengthy interview Stevens has conducted since being officially hired in late April. Jesse gets right at it with a question about cultivating leadership, but this conversation really gets going about 13 minutes in when Stevens begins explaining the difference between the culture within the room now and where it was when he first joined the organization some seven years ago. There are interesting “Flyers West” references, which is reinforced by Stevens, who played and worked alongside Ontario Reign Head Coach Mike Stothers in the Philadelphia organization, laying out the importance of building an excellent relationship with the team’s minor league affiliate and development staff in the process of incorporating younger players into an NHL team’s roster. As I reported last week, Stothers had interviewed for one of the open assistant positions along Stevens, but has decided to remain in Ontario. More interviews with prospective assistants are currently taking place.

The pod continues with a discussion about team speed before Stevens leads an interesting appraisal of post-lockout rule changes, the most interesting of which was how teams had to adapt to the shrinking neutral zone, and the impact that puts on quick, fluid up-ice exchanges. Enough of the table of contents; this is a good listen:

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#6 | 6′ 3″ | 216 lb | Age: 27

Bio

Muzzin was drafted in 2007 by the Pittsburgh Penguins, before signing to the Kings in 2010. He has since become the first Woodstock, Ontario professional athlete to win a major sports trophy.VIEW JAKE MUZZIN POSTS

Anze Kopitar

#11 | 6′ 3″ | 224 lb | Age: 29

Bio

As the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Kopitar became the first Slovenian to play in the NHL. Kopitar has spent his entire NHL career with the Kings, and following the 2015–16 season, was named the Kings’ captain. Noted for both his offensive and defensive play, Kopitar was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL in 2016.

#8 | 6′ 1″ | 195 lb | Age: 26

Bio

Bio: Doughty is a Canadian defenceman who was selected second overall by the Kings in the 2008 Draft. Doughty made his NHL debut in 2008 as an 18-year-old and was named to the All-Rookie Team. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Kings, a two-time Olympic gold medallist with the Canadian national team, and a Norris Trophy finalist.

#73 | 6′ 1″ | 200 lb | Age: 24

Bio

Toffoli is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward, drafted by the Kings in the second round of the 2010 Draft. Toffoli scored his first career NHL goal in his second game in a 4–0 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes in 2013. He was also named the 2012–13 AHL All-Rookie Team.VIEW TYLER TOFFOLI POSTS

Jeff Carter

#77 | 6′ 4″ | 215 lb | Age: 31

Bio

Carter began his hockey career playing in the Ontario Hockey League in Canada before joining the AHL and playing for the Philadelphia Flyers. He was then traded to the Colombus Blue jackets before joining the LA Kings in 2012, where he has since won two Stanley Cups with the Kings.

#32 | 6′ 1″ | 218 lb | Age: 30

Bio

Bio: Quick is the current goaltender for the LA Kings and was selected by Los Angeles at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Previously, Quick was a silver medalist with USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He’s won two Stanley Cup championships with the Kings, along with being the most recent goaltender to be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs.